Ooh La La! Dan Messe, Craig Lucas & Nathan Tysen to Pen Musical Adaptation of Amelie

The whimsical adventures of Amelie could be heading to Broadway! Composer Dan Messe will compose the score for a new musical adaptation of the 2001 Oscar-nominated film alongside book writer Craig Lucus and co-lyricist Nathan Tyson, according to the Facebook page for Messe’s band, Hem. No dates, theater or casting for Amelie (or for her delightful garden gnome) have been announced.

“So not the best kept secret,” Messe posted on Facebook, “But still I'm happy to announce that I've been commissioned to adapt the film Amelie for Broadway. The creative team includes Craig Lucas (book) and Nathan Tysen (co-lyrics). Can't wait to share it with you!”

Amelie tells the story of a Amelie Poulain, a young girl who was home-schooled by her mother and cultivated a very active imagination. The film details her life in Paris as she helps those around her try to find love, and ultimately falls in love herself. The movie was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Screenplay and Best Foreign Language Film. Amelie stars Audrey Tatou, Mathieu Kassovitz, Rufus and Lorella Cravotta.

Messe composed the music for the most recent Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night, starring Anne Hathaway. His band, Hem, has released six albums: Rabbit Songs, Eveningland, No Word From Tom, Funnel Cloud, Departure and Farewell, and an album featuring the songs from Twelfth Night. Lucas garnered a Tony nomination for writing the book of The Light in the Piazza. His additional Broadway writing credits include Prelude to a Kiss and Reckless. He served as the book writer for the Australian musical adaptation of King Kong. Tysen wrote the lyrics for Tuck Everlasting, The Burnt Part Boys and Fugitive Songs.

Click below to revisit the Amelie film trailer!